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waste
This word carries a heavy sense of regret or condemnation. It describes a failure to realize the potential value of a resource, whether that resource is a physical object, a period of time, or a human talent. When applied to people, it suggests a tragic loss of capability or a ruined life. In environmental contexts, the word shifts from a moral judgment of inefficiency to a technical description of refuse. While a waste of money is a mistake, industrial waste is a pollutant. This duality makes the word equally applicable to a messy bedroom and a global climate crisis.
Countable when referring to a specific instance of inefficiency (a waste of money). Uncountable when referring to discarded materials or garbage (industrial waste).
Ý nghĩa
To use or spend something carelessly or extravagantly.
"He wasted all his money on lottery tickets."
To be spent or used in a useless or unproductive way.
"The afternoon was wasted in endless meetings."
Material that is discarded as useless or unwanted.
"The factory produces a huge amount of toxic waste."